Epilation device



July 14,1959 R TAPPER v 2,894,512

EPILATION DgvIcE Filed Oct. 7, 1957 INVENTOR.

ROBERT TAPPER United States Patent EPILATION DEVICE Robert Tapper, LosAngeles, Calif.

Application October 7, 1957, Serial No. 688,512

19 Claims. 01. 128-303.18)

My invention relates to means for removing hair and particularly to adevice which allows a user to remove one hair at a time.

The desire to remove unwanted hair from various portions of the humanbody has been a long-standing one. To effect a permanent removal thereofhas heretofore been the province of the professional beautician.However, by evolving a new device I have been able to empower any userwho can engage a hair with a pair of forceps to remove that hairaccording to the professional process. Only one hand is required.

Briefly, I provide forceps of the larger size having mechanical meansfor partially ejecting an epilation needle from one side of the forceps,or tweezers, as these may be called. The needle is so directed that itpasses down through the hair follicle, or pore, of the hair held andpenetrates only as far as the hair papilla, or root, which latter is tobe destroyed. The mechanical relation between the forceps and the needleis such that the ejection of the latter takes place after the hair to beremoved has been grasped. Further tightening of the forceps closes anelectrical switch. This causes the epilative current to flow, destroyingthe papilla and allowing the now unrooted hair to be removed by theforceps which grasp it. A suitable electrode or equivalent means arealso provided elsewhere on the forceps to complete the electricalcircuit of the current accomplishing the process.

An object of my invention is to provide an electrical self-epilationdevice.

Another object is to provide an epilation device that can be manipulatedwith one hand.

Another object is to provide a hair removal device in which the needleis automatically properly directed in relation to the hair to beremoved.

Another object is to provide epilation means in which the several stepsin the process are accomplished in proper sequence by only onecontinuing manipulation.

Another object is to provide a relatively simple epilation device of lowcost suitable for home use.

Other objects of my invention will become apparent upon reading thefollowing detailed specification and upon examining the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a plan view of one embodiment of my epilation device,

Fig. 2 shows a side elevation view of the same,

Fig. 3 shows a side elevation of an alternate form of my device,

Fig. 4 shows a fragmentary elevation of a further alternate embodiment,and

Fig. 5 shows a fragmentary elevation of a still further alternateembodiment.

In Figs. 1 and 2 numeral 1 designates the upper side of a pair offorceps and in the latter figure numeral 2 designates the lower side. InFig. 1 needle 3 is shown in the extended position, as obtained when theforceps are pressed together by the user, Whereas in Fig. 2 the forcepsare inthe non-operated position. .Battery 4 is 7, 2,894,512 PatentedJuly 14, 1959 attached to the upper side of the forceps. This source ofelectrical energy is used when electrolysis, or galvanic current, isemployed as the epilatory agent. The battery may have a voltage of theorder of nine volts and may be of miniature size since it is called uponto supply a current less than that required for the usual flashlightbulb. Rheostat 5, having adjusting knob 6, is connected by wire 7 to thepositive pole of the battery. This rheostat may have a resistancevariable from zero to approximately 150,000 ohms, and is of miniatureconstruction. A pointer 8 may indicate desired adjustments over anarbitrary or functional scale. A return circuit electrode 9 iselectrically insulated from but lies along the upper surface of theupper side 1 of the forceps. This electrode is electrically connected tothe variable arm terminal of rheostat 5 by wire 10. In using my deviceone or more fingers of the user comes in contact with electrode 9 andthe electrical circuit is completed from there through the arm of theuser and thence to where needle 3 may be located.

The negative terminal of battery 4 passes to the other side of theforceps through insulated wire 11, which terminates in contact 12.

Suitable materials for the forceps are either a nylon plastic or a metalhaving a certain degree of spring-like resiliency. When the plastic isemployed the electrical circuit is rather easily formed of the necessarywires and contacts mounted upon the plastic. When metal is used the sameconfiguration obtains but insulating bushings are required between eachconductor and the metal forceps in order that the latter will not shortcircuit the electricity from the needle 3 and the return circuitinitiated through the user by electrode 9.

The forceps are so sprung that the ends near needle 3 are slightly apartwhen the forceps lie free. The first action on the part of the user isto grasp the hair 13 to be removed with a light pressure at the skinline 14. Further pressure causes the sides of the forceps to come morenearly together and to become more nearly parallel. Needle 3 extendsthrough the upper side of the forceps to provide a necessary bearing andis then attached to flexible shaft 15. Within the latter is inneraxially movable cable 16, formed of a conductor of electricity. Bushing17 supports outer element 115.

When the forceps are snfficiently pressed together cable 16 touchescontact 12. This acts to both partially eject the needle, as shown inFig. 1, and to complete the electrical circuit. The forceps are held ata slight angle to the skin as shown in Fig. 2 and when these are fullycompressed the needle passes directly through the hair follicle withoutpiercing the skin as to draw blood and stops at the depth where thepapilla is found because of bushing 17 physically impinging upon contact12.

This position is held by the user for a suitable interval, of the orderof five or more seconds. The negative electric needle forms sodiumhydroxide by electrolyzing the salt solution found in the follicle.After the necessary period a slight foam is noted at the surface of theskin and the hair can be lifted out, still being held by the forceps.When it is out the pressure exerted by the thumb and fingers of the useris relaxed from the forceps and the device is ready for the nextoperation. A small coiled spring within bushing 17 (not shown for sakeof clarity) causes the needle to retract as soon as pressure is removedfrom the forceps. The proper current to accomplish epilation and yet notto cause undue pain or too great chemical action is controlled byrheostat 5. This varies somewhat from individual to individual. i

In the alternate embodiment shown in Fig. 3 the forceps are essentiallythe same as in the prior figures, and have upper side 20 and lower side21. These sides are rigidly fastened together at the rear, or right handend. The new element is arcuate shaped leaf spring 22. This is fastenedto the upper side by rivets 23. Because of the shape of the spring it isseen that as the forceps are pressed together the left-hand end of thespring moves farther to the left. A small insulated piece 24 on the endof the spring prevents the latter from shorting the needle electrically.The needle has a projection 26 at the rear end against which spring 22pushes. In this way the required self-ejecting action is secured.

An otherwise insulated conductor 27 makes resilient contact with theneedle when an insulating sleeve 19 thereon has moved beyond thecontacting end of conductor 27 as the needle moves outward from the endof the forceps. Conductor 27 passes back along the under side of side 20to transistor oscillator 28. This device is approximately the same sizeas former battery 4. It contains a transistor, suitable reactivecomponents of small size to form an oscillator having a frequency of theorder of thirteen megacycles., a variable output control 29 and a smallprimary battery having a voltage of from nine to twelve volts.

The needle and mechanical elements operate in this embodiment as beforebut the epilation process is by thermolysis rather than by electrolysis.In thermolysis the papilla is destroyed by heat rather than by chemicalaction. The manipulative process is the same as has been recited. Aspecific return electrode is not required, since the return for radiofrequency is capacitative between the body of the user and the device.

Fig. 4 illustrates a modification of the needle ejecting mechanism whichmay be applied to any of the former embodiments. The lower side of theforceps 30 is provided with an extensive but thin wedge-shaped piece 31.This extends through a slot in the upper side 32 of the forceps. Needle33 is housed in a channel in side 32 as before and is provided with aminute spring 34 which urges the needle against piece 31. In theposition shown this causes the needle to be retracted. As the forcepsare closed together it is seen that the needle is urged outward againstthe pressure exerted by the spring. The slope of the forward (left) faceof wedge piece 31 is proportioned to give the desired travel of theneedle. Part of the distance downward on the forward face of the wedge ametallic contact 35 is located. This makes electrical contact with theneedle after it has been pushed into operating position. An insulatingshoe between the wedge and contact prevents shorting if the wedge isformed of metal. An insulated wire 36 leads from contact 35 and passeseither to battery 4, to transistor oscillator 28, or to equivalents.

Fig. shows a somewhat enlarged view of the active portion of my devicein another alternate form and of the hair structure upon which itoperates. The upper side of the forceps and the epilation needle 41 maybe according to any of the previous embodiments. The electrolysis methodis used, however, and the needle is connected to the negative pole ofthe system as before. The skin line is at 43. Numeral 4d identifies thehair follicle, which in the operative position of the needle is alsocoextensive with the needle. The papilla is represented at 45, intowhich the needle just penetrates.

In this embodiment another electrode 46 of a relatively sharp nature isformed on the lower side 47 of the forceps. This enters the epidermis ashort distance from the follicle and is connected to the positive poleof the electrical system. This electrode of positive polarity is knownin the beautician art to act as a sedative; i.e., to reduce any painsensation induced by the epilation process. The positive polarity isconveyed to electrode 46 by insulated conductor 4-8.

It is to be noted how the forcep side ll} and needle 41 are relativelyperpendicular to the skin line 43 so that the needle will pass directlythrough the follicle and reach the papilla.

Certain other modifications are possible according to the teaching of myinvention.

Rather than the transistor oscillator 28 of Fig. 3 being attached to theforceps, insulated lead 27 may be extended to a vacuum tube oscillatoror the equivalent nearby. While I prefer a self-contained device, thecoaction of forceps, needle, switch, etc. is highly valuable and enablesthe user to operate upon himself regardless of the selfcontainedoscillator aspect.

The switch of the embodiment of Fig. 2 is capable of modification tocause the needle to enter the papilla before the current is turned on bymerely arranging the cable 16 to have an insulated end which contactscontact 12 and by providing bushing 17 to have a conductive lower endwhich contacts cable 16. Obviously, the lower end of bushing 17 does notcontact contact 12 until the forceps are fully compressed.

As a further alternate, electrode $6 is not sharply formed to enter theepidermis, but impresses the positive pole over a minute surface skinarea.

An alternate frequency for the oscillator is around 27 megacycles.

The transverse mechanical construction of oscillator 28 may bealternately employed for the battery 4 and variable resistor 5 of Figs.1 and 2.

Still other modifications may be made in the arrangement, size,proportions, shape and streamlining of my device without departing fromthe scope of this invention.

Having thus fully described my invention and the manner in which it isto be practiced, I claim:

1. Means for removing hair comprising forceps to engage a hair, a needleejectably mounted in said forceps, means to partially eject said needleactive after said forceps have engaged said hair, a source of electricalenergy, and means upon said forceps to connect said source to saidneedle active after said needle has been partially ejected to enableone-handed operation by a user.

2. Means for removing hair comprising tweezers for holding a hair to beremoved, a needle protrudably mounted upon said tweezers, means activeto protrude said needle from said tweezers after said tweezers have holdof said hair, an electrical energy source, and means actuated by saidtweezers to electrically connect said source to said needle active aftersaid needle has protruded from said tweezers to thereby enableone-handed actuation by a user.

3. Means for removing hair comprising forceps for holding a hair to beremoved, a needle protrudably mounted within an end of said forceps,mechanical means to protrude said needle from said forceps when thesides of said forceps are brought together, an electrical energy source,and means coactive with the sides of said forceps to connect said sourceto said needle when said sides are closest together; said means forremoving hair adapted for single-handed operation by a user.

4. An epilation device comprising means for grasping a hair to beremoved, a needle extendably attached to said means for grasping, meansto axially extend said needle into the root of said hair active aftersaid hair has been grasped by said means for grasping, an electricalsource, and means to connect said source to said needle to accomplishepilation, said means to connect formed to be actuated by said means forgrasping when said needle enters said root; said device adapted forsinglehanded manipulation by the user.

5. A device for removing hair comprising a tweezer for holding a hair tobe removed, a sharp needle mounted for partial ejection from anextremity of said tweezer, a spring to actuate said needle disposed onone side of said tweezer and mechanically formed to partially eject saidneedle upon said tweezer being pressed together, a contact to makeelectrical contact with said needle as this is ejected, and anelectrical source, said source connected to said contact; the structureadapted for manipulation by said user to engage a hair with saidtweezer, enter the needle into the'papilla of said hair, electricallyalter said papilla and remove the same with said hair with one hand.

6. A device for removing hair comprising tweezers for holding a hair tobe removed, a needle mounted for ejection at the hair-holding extremityof said tweezers, a spring disposed between the sides of said tweezersformed to mechanically partially eject said needle upon the sides ofsaid tweezers being pressed together, a contact to make electricalcontact with said needle formed to make said contact when said needlehas been partially ejected, and an electrical source, said sourceconnected to said contact; the recited structure adapted forsinglehanded manipulation by the user to hold a hair with said tweezers,enter said needle into the papilla of said hair, electrochemically altersaid papilla and remove said papilla with said hair.

7. A device for epilation comprising tweezers for holding a hair to beremoved, a needle reciprocally attached to one end of said tweezers,means to urge said needle through the follicle and into the papilla ofsaid hair actuated upon said hair being tightly grasped by said.tweezers, a source of electrical energy, and means to connect saidsource to said needle when said tweezers are brought together still moretightly; said device adapted for one hand manipulation by the user.

8. A device for electrical epilation comprising forceps to grasp a hairto be removed, a needle slidably contained within one free end of saidforceps, means to pass said needle through the follicle and into thepapilla of said hair as said hair is more tightly grasped by the sidesof said forceps being brought together, a source of electrical energy,and contact means to connect said source to said needle adapted to beactuated as said forceps are still more closely brought together; saiddevice adapted for one-handed manipulation by the user thereof.

9. A device for removing hair comprising forcepslike means for holdingthe hair to be removed, a needle, said needle slidable in saidforceps-like means, a member bearing upon said needle, said memberdisposed between the sides of said forceps-like means such that thebringing together thereof urges the point of said needle beyond the endof said forceps-like means and into the papilla of the hair held, meansmounted upon said forceps-like means to complete electrical contact whensaid needle has passed beyond the end of said forceps, and a source ofelectrical energy, said source electrically coactive with said needlefor epilation; the recited structure adapted to allow said user to holda hair with the forceps-like means, enter the needle into the papilla ofsaid hair, destroy said papilla and remove said hair with theforceps-like means in one operation with one hand.

10. A device for epilation comprising forceps for holding the hair to beremoved, an epilation needle, said needle slidable in a channel in oneside of said forceps, a member between the sides of said forceps bearingupon said needle such that bringing together the sides of said forcepsurges the point of said needle beyond the end of said forceps, throughthe follicle and into the papilla of the hair held by said forceps,electrical contact means mounted upon said forceps to complete theelectrical circuit only when said needle has entered said follicle,

a source of electrical energy, one connection of said source connectedto said needle through said electrical contact means, the otherconnection of said source coactive with the body of the user, and meansmounted upon said forceps to adjust the amount of electrical energyflowing through said needle and the body of said user; the recitedstructure adapted to enable the user to hold a hair with said forceps,enter the needle through the follicle and into the papilla of said hair,destructively alter said papilla and remove the thus freed papilla andhair with said forceps in one unified operation with one hand.

11. A device for epilation comprising forceps for holding the hair to beremoved substantially at skin level, an epilation needle, said needleslidably held in a hollow channel in one side of said forceps byresilient retractive means, an actuating member on the same side of saidforceps as said needle, one end of said member attached to said needleand disposed between the sides of said forceps so that bringing togethersaid sides urges the point of said needle beyond the end of said forcepsthrough the follicle and into the papilla of the hair held by saidforceps, an electrical contact mounted upon said forceps opposite saidretractiveiy constrained actuating member to complete electrical contactwhen said needle is urged beyond the end of said forceps, a source ofelectrical energy mounted upon said forceps, the negative pole of saidsource connected to said needle through said contact, the positive poleof said source connected to an electrode on one side of said forcepscontacted by the hand of the user, and means mounted upon said forcepsto adjust the amount of current flowing when said contact completes theseries circuit composed of said needle, the user, the electrode, themeans to adjust and the source; the several elements related to allowthe user to epilate in one unified operation employing only one hand.

12. A device for removing hair comprising forcepslike means for holdingthe hair to be removed, a needle, said needle slidably mounted at anextremity of said forceps-like means, a leaf spring disposed between thesides of said forceps-like means and mechanically engaging the rear ofsaid needle to partially eject said needle when the sides of saidforceps-like means are pressed together, insulative means coactive withelectrical contact means to make electrical contact with said needleonly when said needle has been partially ejected, and an electricalsource, said source mounted upon said forcepslike means and connected tosaid electrical contact means; said structure adapted for manipulationby a user to engage a hair with the forceps-like means, enter the needleinto the papilla of said hair, destructively alter said papilla andremove the same with said hair in an operation with one hand.

13. A device for removing hair comprising forceps for holding the hairto be removed, a needle, said needle slidably mounted at an extreme endof said forceps, an arcuate leaf spring disposed between the sides ofsaid forceps and mechanically engaging the rear of said needle to ejectsaid needle through the follicle and into the papilla of the hair heldwhen the sides of said forceps are pressed together, needle insulativemeans coactive with electrical contact means to make electrical contactto said needle only when said needle has entered said papilla, and asource of oscillatory electrical energy, said source mounted upon saidforceps and connected to said electrical contact means; said deviceadapted for manipulation by the user to engage a hair with said forceps,enter the needle into said papilla of said hair, thermolyze said papillaand remove the same with said hair in one unified operation with onehand.

14. A device for removing hair comprising means to hold the hair to beremoved, pointed means axially resiliently mounted at an extremity ofsaid means to hold, a member attached to said means to hold oppositethat extremity mounting said needle, a slot in said means to hold behindsaid pointed means, said member disposed and proportioned toprogressively eject the point of said pointed means from the extremityof said means to hold as the latter more tightly holds said hair,electrical means upon said member to contact said pointed means when thelatter is relatively fully ejected, and an electrical source, saidsource connected to said electrical means; the recited structure adaptedfor manipulation by the user to engage a hair with said means to hold,enter the pointed means into the root of said hair, destructively alterand remove said root and said hair in a one hand operation.

15. A device for removing hair comprising forceps-like means for holdingthe hair to be removed, a needle, said needle slidably and resilientlymounted at an extremity of said forceps-like means, a wedge-shaped piecerigidly attached to the side of said forceps-like means opposite thatmounting said needle, said wedge-shaped piece disposed and proportionedto progressively eject the point of said needle from the extremity ofsaid forceps-like means as the sides of the forceps-like means arepressed together, an electrical contact upon said wedgeshaped piece tocontact said needle when said needle is relatively fully extended fromthe extremity of said forceps-like means, and a source of electricalenergy, said source connected to said electrical contact; the recitedstructure adapted for manipulation by the user to engage a hair withsaid forceps-like means, enter the needle into the root of said hair,destructively alter said root and remove the same with said hair in anoperation by one hand.

16. A device for removing hair comprising forceps for holding the hairto be removed, a needle, said needle slidably mounted with springretractive means at an extremity of said forceps, a wedge-shaped piecerigidly attached to the side of said forceps opposite that mounting saidneedle, a slot in the side of said forceps behind said needle, saidwedge-shaped piece disposed and proportioned to pass through said slotand to progressively translate the point of said needle from theextremity of said forceps as the sides of said forceps are pressedtogether, an electrical contact aflixed to said wedge-shaped piece toelectrically contact said needle when said needle is fully extended, anda source of electrical energy, said source connected to said electricalcontact; the recited structure adapted for manipulation by the user toengage a hair with said forceps, enter the needle into the papilla ofsaid hair, destructively alter said papilla and remove the same withsaid hair in one unified operation with one hand.

17. A device for removing hair comprising means to hold a hair to beremoved, sharply pointed means slidably mounted at an extremity of saidmeans to hold, means to partially eject said sharply pointed means uponpressing said means to hold firmly upon said hair, an electrode mountedat the extremity of said means to hold adjacent that mounting saidsharply pointed means, an electrical source, means to connect saidsource to said sharply pointed means, and means to also connect saidsource to said electrode for reducing sensation during the proc essingof said hair; the recited stnucture adapted for manipulation by the userto engage a hair with said means to hold, enter said sharply pointedmeans into the root of said hair, destructively act upon said root andremove the same and said hair by manipulation with one hand.

18. A device for removing hair comprising spring, tweezers for holdingthe hair to be removed, a needle, said needle slidably and resilientlymounted at an end of said tweezers, means to partially eject saidneedle, upon pressing the sides of said tweezers together, an electrodemounted at the end of said tweezers adjacent that mounting said needle,a source of electrical energy, means to connect the negative pole ofsaid source to said needle when the same has been ejected, and means toconnect the positive pole to said electrode to minimize pain duringepilation; the recited structure adapted for manipulation by the user tohold a hair with said tweezers, enter the needle into the papilla ofsaid hair, destructively loosen said papilla and remove the same andsaid hair in one operation with one hand.

19. A device for removing hair comprising forceps for holding one hairto be removed, a needle, said needle slidably and axially resilientlymounted at an extremity of said forceps, means to partially eject saidneedle upon pressing the sides of said forceps together, a sharpelectrode mounted at the extremity of said forceps adjacent thatmounting said needle, a source of electrical energy, means to connectthe negative pole of saidsource to said needle when the same has beenpartially ejected, and means to connect the positive pole of said sourceto said sharp electrode to provide a sedative action during the hairremoving process; the recited structure adapted for manipulation by theuser to engage a hair with said forceps, enter the needle through thefollicle and into the papilla of said hair, enter the sharp electrodeadjacent thereto, electrically destructively alter said papilla andremove the same and said hair in one unified operation with one hand.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS853,096 Lewis May 7, 1907 1,667,170 Segal Apr. 24, 1928 1,731,627Johnson et al Oct. 15, 1929 2,068,721 Wappler et a1 Jan. 26, 1937FOREIGN PATENTS 657,675 France Jan. 16, 192-9

